Hot Software Tips How-Tos
How To: Create a model of a barrel of a machine gun in Blender
This clip presents a general overview on how to model the barrel of a machine gun using Blender's warp tool. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Model a 3D tire in Blender
This clip provides a guide on how to go about creating a detailed 3D model of a tire within Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Sculpt 3D objects in Blender 2.49 or 2.5
This clip presents a general overview of the Blender sculpting workflow. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Rig a spine in Blender 2.49 or 2.5
This clip presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to go about rigging a spine for a 3D model in most versions of Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Use camera mapping in Blender
Camera mapping is a clever technique that allows you to take a still image and convert it into 3d geometry for use in an animation. This powerful technique is used extensively by visual effects studios for feature films, commercials and television shows. It's especially useful for faking helicopters flyovers because it costs just a fraction of the cost of hiring a real helicopter.Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just inter...
How To: Create a detailed 3D model of a 608 bearing in Blender
This six-part tutorial series offers detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create a precision 3D model of a 608 skateboard bearing. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, and to get started modeling your own 608 bearing, take a look!
How To: Use a MoCap library within Blender
This clip presents a general introduction to working with MoCap libraries within most versions of Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Integrate real-world and CG elements in Blender
This clip presents on a guide on integrating CG with real-life or real-world images using the basic capabilities of Blender: nodes, and sequencer. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Correct for a lens distortion in Blender
In this tutorial, you'll see how to do perspective correction for an image or video clip within Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Rotate and spin images in Blender
See how to spin images using Blender. First, you'll see how to use the UV-Textured plane rig and physically rotate the mesh. Next, you'll see how to use Nodes, and then the Sequencer. This clip discusses Orthographic camera scaling, animation, and considerations about clipping. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free vi...
How To: Do localized image distortion in Blender
See how to do localized image distortion using Blender. The rig is a simple UV-textured plane filmed using an orthographic camera. You then subdivide the plane, add some curve guides, and use proportional editing to alter an image. The above before-after shot shows a nose job (rhinoplasty), teeth filing, raise cheekbones, enlarged eyes, and a lengthened face. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acqua...
How To: Use sculpt brushes and bake models in Blender
This clip presents an introduciton on how to create and bake brushes within most versions of Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Texture a head with GLSL preview in Blender
This 31 minutes blender tutorial will show you the steps to texture a head using the new GLSL preview features of the Apricot blender versions. You will see how to interactively blend together 3 projections of reference photographies into a final texture. This assumes you already are comfortable with Blender, mostly in UV mapping, material and textures. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting...
How To: Change a particle's size over its age in Blender 2.46
In this clip you'll learn how to change a particle's size over its age in Blender 2.46 or later. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Use PhotoMatix Pro using Lightroom for photos
Another great photo program that you can use is PhotoMatix Pro. In this quick tutorial, learn how to take images from Lightroom, transfer them into PhotoMatix and then back to Lightroom again. This clip is hosted by a professional photographer and will walk you through the basics of this useful program.
How To: Use an adjustment gradient in Lightroom to add focus
Sometimes there is a part of the photo that needs a little more emphasis than other bits. In this tutorial, you will learn how to use the photo editing program, Lightroom, to add focus and emphasis to certain parts of your images. Learn how to strategically darken and lighten areas of your photos to highlight whatever you choose. This clip is hosted by a professional and you will get tons of great advice.
How To: Animate billboard textures in Blender 2.46 or later
This tutorial shows how it is possible to animate billboards' textures in Blender's (246) new particle system. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Create a model of a tire with Blender's warp modifier
Learn how to model a full 3D tire (or tyre) with this Blender user's guide. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Achieve a light streak effect in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
Learn how to create an eye-catching light streak effect within this Blender video guide. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Model wires (twining meshes) in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
This clip presents instructions on how to create 3D models of wires within most versions of Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Create secondary motion with keyframes in Blender
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create secondary motion without any simulations like softbody for your characters clothing, accessories, even hair! This method can also be applied to environmental animation. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructio...
How To: Model doors, hoods and panels in Blender
This Blender user's guide covers the process of cutting clean gaps and seams into subsurfed surfaces. Doors, hoods, inspection panels, that kind of thing! Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Destroy a mesh with external particles in Blender
This clip presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to destroy a Suzanne object using external plane particles. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, and to get started usng this great trick yourself, take a look!
How To: Build a MoCap and Pose library in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
In Blender, you can build up a library of Actions, Poses, and IK Target motion based on real-world motion capture sessions. These session files are freely available and cover hundreds of everyday motion. Use these libraries to study and augment your hand-animation skills, or use directly to animate your character. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're s...
How To: Create geometric shape masks in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
Using a geometric shape to mask out a portion of one video, so that you can substitute in a different video on top of it. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Create titles and credits within Blender 2.4 or 2.5
This clip explains how to use Blender to title your video, layer your titles on top of video, or stencil your video on top of title text. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Add 3D objects to digital video in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
In this video, I match move a 3D virtual object on top of a movie which is set as the background image. This tutorial will show you how to integrate your CG objects into a real-world video. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Process green-screen video in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
Blender's channel key node is your secret to processing greenscreen video. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Create lighting effects with Blender's node compositor
You can alter the lighting (general ambient, specific spots, color/warmth) of a video using compositor nodes within Blender. This clip will show you how it's done. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Apply a virtual light source to an image in Blender
This clip presents a general introduction to creating and manipulating lights within most versions of Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Pan & zoom in on images with nodes in Blender
Using nodes, this Blender tutorial will show you how to pan (more the camera side to side) and zoom in/out on a portion of an image. In fact, you can make a web video out of a static HD image, as if you had a video camera while you were there! Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information,...
How To: Scale video with the camera in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
Using a virtual darkroom analogy, this Blender tutorial explains how to use a Flying Camera rig to crop/scale/distort video. Using a non-orthographic camera, you can scale, rotate and zoom by keyframing the camera location.
How To: Convert between formats within Blender 2.4 or 2.5
This clip demonstrates how to load an image into the Blender VSE and convert its format, both in size and in format (JPG->PNG) and space savings comparison. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Convert an image into a node in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
This clip demonstrates how to get video and images into the node-based compositor in Blender using the RenderLayer and the Image input nodes. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Create a flying camera rig in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
Blender is really cool in that you can mix your modes of editing between projections of that video in 3D space, 2D-based compositing, and 2D-based mixing in the VSE, all at the same time. An über-cool idea is to use your video to texture something - a plane, or a sphere commonly, and then film that texture using the camera (orthographic or lens-based) to get all sort of very cool distortion effects. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graph...
How To: Crop and translate images in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
Cropping and translating images is a common workflow. This Blender user's guide will show you how it's done. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Adjust hue saturation values (HSV) in Blender
This clip talks about what Hue Saturation Value is, and how to use Blender and the HSV node to isolate a specific color or range of values from an image. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look!
How To: Work with context and subcontext buttons in Blender
This clip covers the confusing array of buttons and controls in Blender that are used for the different functions. Specifically, it talks about context and sub-context buttons, presets for TV broadcast (and the different standards for those) in HD or high-definition broadcast. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free vid...
How To: Create ghosts in Blender with difference keying
Use nodes to compute the difference between two images, usually a matte or background shot and then the same shot with actors in the set. This technique was used in the film "Death Becomes Her" starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis. Use this technique to create ghosts, glass people, or to uncover watermarks and prove video ownership. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting your...
How To: Use the Node Editor Window in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
The Node Window is a workspace or desktop for compositing. This clip covers all the mouse and hot keys you use for navigating around and in that workspace and discusses how to add/delete/move nodes, pan/zoom/autozoom the window.